A mother has withdrawn her daughter from school following an incident where the girl was reportedly reprimanded for wearing a skirt that was deemed 2cm too short. Cola Glenny, aged 34, stated that her daughter Pearl was distressed after teachers at the Hundred of Hoo Academy conducted a rigorous skirt length check, measuring skirts to ensure they were within 6cm of the knee’s top.
According to Cola, Pearl contacted her in tears on Monday, explaining that she was isolated in the main hall all day due to her skirt’s length being 8cm. Consequently, the mother made the decision to take her out of Year 8 and plans to homeschool her until a suitable alternative is found.
Expressing her dismay, Cola mentioned how her daughter, who is tall, had a skirt that appeared appropriate to the naked eye but still exceeded the school’s specified length. She criticized the school’s actions, emphasizing that while she supports uniform rules, she found the use of rulers to measure skirts and subsequent humiliation of the girls unnecessary.
Cola reported that other students faced similar issues with their skirts, leading several mothers, including herself, to remove their children from the school. She highlighted the distress among girls and criticized the school’s handling of the situation, pointing out the emotional toll it took on the students.
Despite the backlash, the school, which is part of the Leigh Academies Trust, defended its uniform policy, stating that it aims to maintain fairness, consistency, and a conducive learning environment. The school clarified that it provides options for purchasing skirts from various retailers to accommodate individual needs and ensure compliance with the guidelines.
In response to the incident, the school affirmed its commitment to clear uniform standards, citing their importance in fostering professionalism among students. It also outlined the communication efforts made with parents regarding skirt length requirements and reiterated its dedication to supporting students, especially those preparing for exams.